Clitheroe

In 1715 Thomas Lister, a Tory, whose family had represented Clitheroe since the early seventeenth century, headed the poll, two other Tories, Thomas Parker, whose cousin, Christopher Parker, had represented Clitheroe 1708-13, and Edward Harvey, who had been put up by his kinsman, Ralph, 2nd Duke of Montagu, lord of the honour of Clitheroe, tying for the second seat. Harvey was declared elected by the House of Commons after Parker had refused to contest the return before the elections committee.1CJ, xviii. 29, 34. In 1722 two Tories, Lister and Curzon, brothers-in-law and co-heirs through their wives of Sir Ralph Assheton, M.P. Clitheroe 1660-2 and 1678-80, defeated two Whigs, James Haldane and John Monckton, Viscount Galway[I].2Duchess of Kendal to Sunderland, 21 Mar. 1722, Sunderland (Blenheim) mss. Shortly afterwards, Lister and Curzon jointly purchased 37 burgages from Monckton and Haldane, which gave them, together with their separate holdings, 57 out of the 102 burgages. In 1727, as part of the agreement between Monckton and Curzon relating to the purchase of the burgages, Monckton was returned with Lister.3An Answer to the Apology for the conduct of Thomas Lister respecting the borough of Clitheroe. Thereafter the Listers and Curzons shared the representation without opposition.